Well what do you think now that you have done all that? For the first time in my life I have read John through in a chunk missing out the section in question. Wow. It is very clear to me. I believe John never meant for that segment to be include here in his gospel if at all. Look at the flow between the segments if that portion is removed.
They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself—no prophet ever comes from Galilee!”
John 7:52
What references are there in Scripture to the Prophet and to light connected with Galilee?
“. . . there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory. The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.”
Isaiah 9:1-2
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” The Pharisees replied, “You are making those claims about Yourself! Such testimony is not valid.” .
John 8:12-13
It is only natural that Jesus would make a link to that verse. It is the perfect response to their challenge about no prophet coming from Galilee. Furthermore remember how full and rich the significance of the Feast of Tabernacles is in this context. Palm branches, light, water and celebration – all continuing the theme of John. The light of the world comment fits perfectly here. In my mind John 7:52 was meant to be beside 8:12. Jesus is saying you want light, you want to talk about the prophet coming from Galilee or not – look at me; I am the light of the world.
I believe the story of the woman caught in adultery has been jammed in between two parts of John that should have flowed together. There is nothing in the adultery story that connects it in anyway to John’s themes. This is so not like John that I conclude John never meant it to be there. Furthermore it is not like John’s writing. The normal words and style are not present. It reads more like a passage from the synoptics. Does that mean I think the woman caught in adultery segment should not be in the Bible? No most definitely not. It is clearly a preserved story from oral tradition. I don’t where it should be in the New Testament but I don’t agree with it separating the parts of John’s thematic flow.
Now it is time to move on. This part has been important to do. We not only have to pay attention to the detail of the text but we also have to consider the footnotes and the likely authenticity of the text. I.e. pay attention to the alternative readings.
Your mouth is the microphone of your heart.
Anon